Merkato 55 Has a Notable Fan; Get a Look at Artichoke Pizza’s Crab-Dip Slice

Astoria: It’s reassuring to know that even new restaurants in the hood are still “gimmicky with Mediterranean tchotkes and cheesy lighting.” [Foodista]Cobble Hill: The former Red Deli space has finally been reopened as Ted & Honey by a resident who “learned her trade at a Danny Meyer Manhattan restaurant.” Mysterious. [Bergen Carroll]East Village: Thankfully, this close-up of Artichoke Pizza’s new crab-dip slice looks better than it sounded, though the taster admitted, “It’s gross.” [Slice]Greenwich Village: Mario Batali worked in the kitchen of Rocco’s on Thompson Street, but on recent nights “oldsters helped people the place.” [Eater] Il Mulino has taken a moment from its daily rounds to share its recipe for pappardelle with tomato and basil. [Restaurant Girl] Meatpacking District: Former Times food critic Mimi Sheraton not only likes Merkato 55 and the flavors it’s introducing to modern tastes, she believes “Marcus Samuelsson may well go down in gastronomic history as the father of the new African cuisine in America.” [Word of Mouth via Eater]